Swaging machine

ABSTRACT

A swaging machine comprising an inner die assembly and an outer die assembly. The inner die assembly includes die parts that are configured to fit together to form an adjustable cylindrical die set that contacts an inside surface circumventing a cylindrically-shaped work piece mounted around the adjustable cylindrical die set. The outer die assembly includes one or more moveable dies that are each configured, at any given moment, to contact a single tangential plane passing through an outside surface of the cylindrically-shaped work piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/172,334 (the 334' application), by Eric Brunette on Jun. 29, 2010, entitled, “IMPROVED GAS VENT PIPE AND LOCKING SYSTEM,” which in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/420,610, filed by Eric Brunette on Dec. 7, 2010, entitled, “SPECIAL GAS VENT CHIMNEY LOCKING AND SEALING SYSTEM,” commonly assigned with this application and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is directed, in general, to a swaging machine and methods of using and assembling the swaging machine.

BACKGROUND

To form a particular detailed shape on the ends of pipes, tubes or other cylindrically-shaped manufactured work piece, the process often involves the use of a machine equipped with a set of inner dies and outer dies. Typically, there has to be a different set of inner dies and outer dies for each different diameter of the work piece to be shaped. In some cases, the outer dies can be very heavy, and hence difficult to manipulate, and, the dies are expensive to produce.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure is a swaging machine comprising an inner die assembly and an outer die assembly. The inner die assembly includes die parts that are configured to fit together to form an adjustable cylindrical die set that contacts an inside surface circumventing a cylindrically-shaped work piece mounted around the adjustable cylindrical die set. The outer die assembly includes one or more moveable dies that are each configured, at any given moment, to contact a single tangential plane passing through an outside surface of the cylindrically-shaped work piece.

Another embodiment is a method shaping a work piece. The method comprises mounting a portion of a cylindrically-shaped work piece between an inner die assembly and an outer die assembly of the above-described swaging machine. The method also comprises rotating at least one of the adjustable cylindrical die set or the outer die assembly around a central axis of the adjustable cylindrical die set. The method further comprises applying a contact force to the tangential plane passing through the cylindrically-shaped work piece via a portion of the adjustable cylindrical die set and at least one of the moveable dies.

Still another embodiment is a method of assembling a swaging machine. The method comprises providing an inner die assembly, including fitting die parts together to form an adjustable cylindrical die set that is configured to contact an inside surface of a cylindrically-shaped work piece mounted around the adjustable cylindrical die set. The method also comprises providing an outer die assembly, including one or more moveable dies that are each configured, at any given moment, to contact a single tangential plane passing through an outside surface of the cylindrically-shaped work piece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of an example swaging machine of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 presents a plan view of a portion of the example swaging machine, along view line 2, depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 presents a flow diagram of an example method of shaping a work piece such as implemented by any of the embodiments of the swaging machines discussed in the context of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 presents a flow diagram of an example method of assembling a swaging machine, such as any of the swaging machines discussed in the context of FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term, “or,” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.

As part of the present disclosure, it was recognized that a swaging machine can be used to shape cylindrically-shaped manufactured work pieces, thereby eliminating the need to have a set of outer dies that are specific to the particular diameter of the cylindrically-shaped work piece. Instead of having specific sets of inner dies and outer dies that simultaneously squeeze the cylindrically-shaped work piece around its whole circumference, the disclosed swaging machine squeezes the work piece at only one tangential plane of its outer surface at any given moment in the shaping process. The shaping of the work piece is facilitated by using a universal outer die and by rotating the inner die set and work piece relative to the universal outer die or visa versa. Because the universal outer die can be used for work pieces having different diameters, the time to set-up the machine, and the cost of retooling the machine with different sets of outer dies, are both reduced.

One embodiment of the disclosure is a swaging machine. FIG. 1 presents perspective view of an example swaging machine 100 of the disclosure and FIG. 2 presents a plan view of a portion of the example swaging machine 100, along view line 2, depicted in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the illustrated machine 100 comprises an inner die assembly 105 and an outer die assembly 107. The inner die assembly 105 includes die parts 110 that are configured to fit together to form an adjustable cylindrical die set 112. The die set 112 contacts an inside surface 115 circumventing a cylindrically-shaped work piece 120 mounted around the die set 112. The outer die assembly 107 includes one or more moveable dies 125, 127, 129 that are each configured, at any given moment, to contact a single tangential plane (e.g., plane 130 for die 125) passing through an outside surface 135 of the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tangential plane 130 of the cylindrically shaped work piece 120 that is contacted by each moveable die (e.g., die 125 as depicted in FIG. 1) is substantially perpendicular to the radius 137 of the work piece 120. The particular tangential plane that any one moveable die contacts would differ depending on where that moveable die is positioned about the work piece 130 at the moment of contact.

As also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, each of the individual die parts 110 can be substantially pie- or sector-shaped parts. One skilled in the art would understand that the other shapes are possible for some or all to the die parts 110, and, that different numbers and sizes of the die parts 110 can be used to form the die set 112 to accommodate the particular radius 137 of the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120.

The die parts 110, when assembled in the cylindrical die set 112, are configured to be adjustable. For instance, the radius 140 of the cylindrical die set 112 can be configured to be adjusted to an open, or expanded, configuration that contacts the inside surface 115 of the work piece 120 and thereby hold the work piece 120 in place in the machine 100. Or, the radius 140 of the cylindrical die set 112 can be configured to be adjusted to a closed, or contracted, configuration that does not contact the inside surface 115 and thereby releases the work piece from the machine 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 the outer walls 145 of the die parts 110 facing the inside surface 115 of the work piece 120 can be contoured. For instance, the outer walls 145 can include one or more groves or protrusions 147 so as to shape the work piece 120 when contacting the inside surface 115 of the work piece 120 in cooperation with at least one of the moveable dies 125, 127, 129. One skilled in the art would be familiar with other components the inner die assembly 105 could include to facilitate adjusting the cylindrical die set 112 such as described above.

In some embodiments, the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120 is a vent pipe section for a chimney. For instance, the work piece 120 can be the body member of a vent pipe such as disclosed in the 334' application. Based on the present disclosure, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120 could be other types of pipes or tubes (e.g., gas pipes, plumbing pipes, tubing used in HVAC applications) that the machine 100 can be configured to shape.

In some embodiments of the machine 100, the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 is configured to rotate. For instance, the die set 112 can rotate around its central axis 150, which in turn, can be coincident with a central axis 155 of the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120, when held by the die set 112. For instance, in some embodiments, the inner die assembly 105 is attached to a platform 160 and the platform 160 is configured to rotate. In some cases, the platform 160 can also facilitate the holding of different sizes of die sets 112 thereon or facilitate holding the work piece 120 thereon.

In some cases, the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 can be configured to rotate continuously, e.g., while shaping the work piece 120. In other cases, the die set 112 can be configured to rotate by an indexed amount (e.g., by 90 or 120 degree incremental steps), in between the times when shaping the work piece 120 occurs.

In other embodiments of the machine 100, the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 is not configured to rotate. For instance, the inner die assembly 105, or, the platform 160 that it is attached to, can be fixed and the outer die assembly 107 or its one or more moveable dies 125, 127, 129 can be configured to rotate around the die set 112, e.g., around the central axis 150. In still other embodiments, both the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 and the outer die assembly 107 or its one or more moveable dies 125, 127, 129 can be configured to rotate. Based on the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill would understand how a motor and gears of the machine 100 could be coupled to the inner or outer assemblies 105, 107 or their component parts, or the platform 160, to provide the above-described rotating configurations.

In some embodiments, the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 are configured to be laterally adjustable (e.g., in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tangential plane 130) so as to move in and out of contact with the outside surface 135 of the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120. For instance, in some cases a lateral arm 162 coupled to one of the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 can be configured to move the die so as to contact the tangential plane 130 of the outside surface 135, e.g., while the die set 112 is expanded to contact the inside surface 115 of the work piece 120 to squeeze and thereby shape an end portion 165 of the work piece.

In some embodiments, the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 are configured to be vertically adjustable (e.g., in a direction substantially parallel to the tangential plane 130). For instance each of the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 can be coupled to vertical arms 167 that are configured move the dies 125, 127, 129 to different positions parallel to the central axis 155, e.g., to facilitate shaping different portions of the work piece 120 or shape differently sized work pieces 120.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in some embodiments, the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 are configured as roller dies. For instance, the roller dies 125, 127, 129 can be configured as cylindrical rollers whose outer wall 170 is configured to contact the tangential plane 130. That is, a tangential plane of the cylindrical roller die's outer surface 170, at the moment contact, touches the tangential plane 130 of the work piece 120.

For some embodiments of the roller dies 125, 127, 129, the die's outer wall 170 is contoured similar to that described for the die parts 110. For instance, the outer wall 170 of each roller die 125, 127, 129 can include grooves or protrusions circumscribe the outer wall 170 of respective roller die. In some cases, the outer wall 170 of the roller die can include grooves or protrusions that mirror the grooves or protrusions on the die parts 110. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the wall 170 of die 125 can include a groove 172 that mirrors a protrusion 147 on the outer wall 145 of each of the die parts 110 that form the die set 112. When the roller die 125 and die set 112 cooperate to squeeze the work piece 120, e.g., as the work piece 120 and die set are rotating, an o-ring groove can be formed in the work piece 120 configured as a vent pipe section, such as further described in the 334' application.

In other embodiments, the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 are configured as various other dies to shape different features into the work piece 120. For example, in some embodiments, at least one of the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 is configured as a hole-punch die. The hole-punch die can be configured to punch holes in the work piece 120, e.g., to provide a point for fastening of latches or offset braces to the work piece 120 configured as a vent pipe section, such as disclosed in the 334' application.

Based on the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill would understand how the inner and outer die assemblies 105, 107 could be configured to form different shapes in the work piece 120. For example, in some cases, the inner die assembly 105 can include two different adjustable cylindrical die sets 112, 182 each die set being composed of different die parts 110. The two different die sets 112, 182 can be used in cooperation with the same outer die assembly 107 to successively shape a male end 165 of a work piece 120 and a female end 180 of the work piece 120, respectively. For instance, the male end 165 of one work piece 120 configured as a vent pipe section, can fit inside the female end 180 of another work piece 120 configured as another vent pipe section, such as described in the 334' application.

As illustrated in FIG. 11 n some embodiments of the machine 100, the inner die assembly 105 includes adjustable cylindrical die set 112 and a second adjustable cylindrical die set 182. As illustrated, the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 has a larger radius 140 than the radius 185 of the second adjustable cylindrical die set 182. The second adjustable cylindrical die set 182 can be configured to accommodate a second cylindrically-shaped work piece (not shown) there-around.

In some cases, the second adjustable cylindrical die set 182 can be configured to be seated on the adjustable cylindrical die set 112. Such an arrangement can facilitate the successive use of either of the die sets 112, 182 without retooling or otherwise changing the machine 100, thereby reducing the setup time to shape differently-sized work pieces 120.

In some embodiments of the machine 100, the outer die assembly 107 includes a first one of the moveable dies (e.g., die 125) that is configured to contact the single tangential plane 130 of the outside surface 135 of the cylindrically-shaped work piece 135, and, a second one of the moveable dies (e.g., die 127) that is configured, at any given moment, to contact a second single tangential plane of an outside surface of a second cylindrically-shaped work piece (not shown). The second cylindrically-shaped work piece can have a smaller radius than the radius 137 of the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120. For instance, the first moveable die 125 can cooperate with the first die set 112 to shape a first work piece 120, and the second moveable die 127 can cooperate with the second die set 182 to shape a second work piece 120.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is a method of shaping a work piece. FIG. 3 presents a flow diagram of an example method 300. With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-2 throughout, the method 300 comprises a step 310 of mounting a portion of a cylindrically-shaped work piece 120 between an inner die assembly 105 and an outer die assembly 107 of a swaging machine 100, such as any of the embodiments of swaging machines 100 discussed in the context of FIGS. 1 and 2. For instance, as part of step 310, the die parts 110 of the inside dies set 112 can be expanded to hold the work piece 120 in place around the die set 112. For instance, as part of step 310, the work piece can rest on a platform 160 of the machine 100. For instance, as part of step 310, at least one of the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 can be laterally adjusted to contact the outer surface 135 of the work piece 120 and thereby help to hold the work piece 120 in place during its shaping.

The method 300 also comprises a step 320 of rotating at least one of the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 or the outer die assembly 107 around a central axis 150 of the adjustable cylindrical die set 112. For instance, as part of step 320, the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 and work piece 120 mount thereto can be rotated, either by directly rotating the die set 112 or by rotating a platform 160 that the die set 112 is mount to, and the outer die assembly 107 can be fixed in place. For instance, as part of step 320, the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 and work piece 120 mount thereto can be fixed and the outer die assembly 107 can be configured to rotate. Or, as part of step 320, both the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 and outer die assembly 107 can be configured to rotate (e.g., in opposite directions around the central axis 150).

The method 300 further comprises a step 330 of applying a contact force to the tangential plane 130 passing through the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120 via a portion of the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 and at least one of the moveable dies 125, 127, 129. The contact force, applied substantially perpendicular to the central axis 150, can be achieve by expanding the adjustable cylindrical die set 112, or, by pushing the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 towards the tangential plane 130, or by a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the rotating (step 320) of one the both the outer die assembly 107 or the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 in step 320 is continued while applying the contact force in step 330.

In some embodiments, while applying the contact force in step 330, the outer die assembly and the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 are both fixed in-place. For instance, when one of the moveable dies 125 is configured as a hole punch die, one of the outer die assembly 107 or the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 can be rotated in step 320 by an indexed amount (e.g., 90 or 120 degrees), the rotation stopped, and the contact force can be applied in accordance with step 330 to form a hole in the work piece 120. A series of indexed rotations can be made as part of step 320 with the contact force being applied in step 330 in between each of the indexed rotations.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is a method of assembling a swaging machine. FIG. 4 presents a flow diagram of an example method 400 of assembling a swaging machine, such as any of the swaging machines 100 discussed in the context of FIGS. 1-3. The method 400 comprises a step 410 of providing an inner die assembly 105, including fitting die parts 110 (e.g., steel die parts) together to form an adjustable cylindrical die set 112 that is configured to contact an inside surface 115 of a cylindrically-shaped work piece 120 (e.g., an aluminum sheet previously bent to form a cylinder) mounted around the adjustable cylindrical die set 112. The method 400 also comprises a step 420 of providing an outer die assembly 107, including one or more moveable dies 125, 127, 129, which are each configured, at any given moment, to contact a single tangential plane 130 passing through an outside surface 135 of the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120.

In some cases, the step 410 of providing the inner die assembly 105 further includes a step 430 of attaching the adjustable cylindrical die set 112 to a platform 160 (e.g., a platform configured to rotate around the central axis 160 of the die set 112).

In some cases, the step 420 of providing the outer die assembly 107 includes a step 440 positioning the outer die assembly 107 at a fixed location outside an outer edge 187 of the platform 160.

In some cases, the step 420 of providing the outer die assembly 107 further includes a step 450 includes attaching the outer die assembly 107 to a platform that is configured to rotate around the central axis 150 of the adjustable cylindrical die set 112.

In some cases, step 420 of providing the outer die assembly 107 includes a step 460 of coupling each one of the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 to different laterally-oriented arms 162 that is configured to adjust the lateral distance between the coupled moveable die (e.g., one of dies 125, 127, 129) and the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120.

In some cases, step 420 of providing the outer die assembly 107 further includes a step 470 including coupling each one of the moveable dies 125, 127, 129 to different vertically-oriented arms 167 that is configured to adjust the vertical distance between the coupled moveable die (e.g., one of dies 125, 127, 129) and the cylindrically-shaped work piece 120, e.g., such that the moveable die 125, 127, 129 can contact a selected portion of the work piece 120.

Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments. 

1. A swaging machine, comprising: an inner die assembly, including die parts that are configured to fit together to form an adjustable cylindrical die set that contacts an inside surface circumventing a cylindrically-shaped work piece mounted around the adjustable cylindrical die set; and an outer die assembly, including one or more moveable dies that are each configured, at any given moment, to contact a single tangential plane passing through an outside surface of the cylindrically-shaped work piece.
 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the adjustable cylindrical die set is configured to rotate.
 3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the inner die assembly is attached to a platform of the machine, the platform configured to rotate.
 4. The machine of claim 1, wherein outer walls of the die parts facing the cylindrically-shaped work piece include one or more grooves or protrusions.
 5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the moveable dies are configured to be laterally adjustable so as to move in and out of contact with the outside surface of the cylindrically-shaped work piece.
 6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more moveable dies are configured as roller dies.
 7. The machine of claim 6, wherein the roller dies are configured as cylindrical rollers whose outer surface is configured to contact the single tangential plane.
 8. The machine of claim 6, wherein one or more grooves or protrusions circumscribe the outer wall the roller dies.
 9. The machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the moveable dies is configured as a hole-punch die.
 10. The machine of claim 1, wherein the cylindrically-shaped work piece is a vent pipe section for a chimney.
 11. The machine of claim 1, wherein the inner die assembly includes two different one of the adjustable cylindrical die sets which are configured to cooperate with the same outer die assembly to shape a male end and a female end of the cylindrically-shaped work pieces, respectively, wherein the male end of one of the cylindrically-shaped work pieces is configured to fit within the female end of another one of the cylindrically-shaped work pieces.
 12. The machine of claim 1, wherein the inner die assembly includes: the adjustable cylindrical die set; and a second adjustable cylindrical die set, wherein: the second adjustable cylindrical die set has a smaller radius than the adjustable cylindrical die set, and the second adjustable cylindrical die set is configured to accommodate a second cylindrically-shaped work piece there-around.
 13. The machine of claim 1, wherein the second adjustable cylindrical die set is configured to be seated on the adjustable cylindrical die set.
 14. The machine of claim 1, wherein the outer die assembly includes: a first one of the moveable dies that is configured to contact the single tangential plane of an outside surface of the cylindrically-shaped work piece; and a second one of the moveable dies that is configured, at any given moment, to contact a second single tangential plane of an outside surface of a second cylindrically-shaped work piece, wherein the second cylindrically-shaped work piece has a smaller radius than the cylindrically-shaped work piece.
 15. A method of shaping a work piece, comprising: mounting a portion of a cylindrically-shaped work piece between an inner die assembly and an outer die assembly of a swaging machine, wherein: the inner die assembly includes die parts that are configured to fit together to form an adjustable cylindrical die set that contacts an inside surface circumventing a cylindrically-shaped work piece mounted around the adjustable cylindrical die set, and the outer die assembly includes one or more moveable dies that are each configured, at any given moment, to contact a single tangential plane passing through an outside surface of the cylindrically-shaped work piece; rotating at least one of the adjustable cylindrical die set or the outer die assembly around a central axis of the adjustable cylindrical die set; and applying a contact force to the tangential plane passing through the cylindrically-shaped work piece via a portion of the adjustable cylindrical die set and at least one of the moveable dies.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein, the outer die assembly is fixed in place and the adjustable cylindrical die set is configured to rotate.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein, the rotating of one the both the outer die assembly or the adjustable cylindrical die set is continued while applying the contact force.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the rotating includes a series of indexed rotations, and the contact force is applied in-between each of the indexed rotations.
 19. A method of assembling a swaging machine, comprising: providing an inner die assembly, including fitting die parts together to form an adjustable cylindrical die set that is configured to contact an inside surface of a cylindrically-shaped work piece mounted around the adjustable cylindrical die set; and providing an outer die assembly, including one or more moveable dies that are each configured, at any given moment, to contact a single tangential plane passing through an outside surface of the cylindrically-shaped work piece.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein: providing the inner die assembly including attaching the adjustable cylindrical die set to a platform that is configured to rotate around a central axis of the adjustable cylindrical structure; and providing the outer die assembly includes positioning the outer die assembly at fixed location outside an outer edge of the platform. 